Potato-digger.



PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906.

T. N. OIUM. POTATO BIGGER.

APPLiOATION PILFD JUNE 29 1905 2 SHEETSSHEET l.

wuawto c No. 812,673. PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906. T. N. OIUM. POTATO BIGGER.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 29, 1905.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

M/um Wo c 7 50/17 :16 0/20/1 UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1906.

Application filed June 29, 1905. Serial No. 267,638.

T0 on whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS N. OIUM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lisbon, in the county of Ransom and State of North Dakota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Potato-Diggers andI do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in potato-digging machines,particularly with reference to cutting the vines, weeds, and the like atthe sides of the shovel or plow to prevent them from being caught by andentangling the elevator and gearing and choking the machine, and myinvention consists in the construction and combination of deviceshereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawin s, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portionof a potato-digging machine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a topplan view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view.

For the purposes of this specification I herein show my improvementsapplied to the form of potato-digging machine known as the Dowdendigger. It will be understood, however, that my improvements may be usedwith other machines of this class, and I do not desire to limit myselfin this particular.

The main frame is indicated at a, the driving-axle at b, the rearsupporting-wheels at c, the driving-gears at d, the endless conveyer ate, and the gears on the rear shaft thereof and which mesh with thedriving-gears d are indicated at The plow or shovel g, pivotally mountedat the front end of the frame a, is connected to the rear ends of thebeams h, the front ends of which are connected to a frontsupporting-frame, which is not here shown, as it forms no part of mypresent improvements. The lever for ad usting the plow or shovel isindicated at i.

In the embodiment of my invention I provide upon each side of the shovelor plow a combined guard and cutter plate 1, each having a curved frontupper cutting edge 2. They are further provided with lateral flangesthat extend under and are bolted to the plow. These guards and cutterplates are more particularly described and claimed in my copendingapplication for Letters Patent of the United States, filed January 7,1905, Serial No. 240,063, allowed March 6, 1905. They may, however, beof any suitable construction. These guard and cutter plates not onlyguide and retain the potatoes upon the shovel or plow, but also cut thevines, weeds, or other vegetable growth through which the machinepasses. I combine with these fixed guard and cutter plates 1 revolvingcolters 3, which are disposed against the outer sides thereof and arecarried and revolved by a shaft 4, that has its bearings in a pair ofbrackets 5, said brackets being bolted at their lower ends to the sidesof the plow or shovel, as at 6. On one end of said shaft is asprocket-wheel 7. To one of the drivinggears 01 I secure asprocket-wheel 8, which operates an endless sprocket-chain 9, thatengages the sprocket-wheel 7, and hence causes the colters to berevolved when the machine is in operation. The cutting edges of the revolving colters, which may be either serrated or plain, coact with thecutting edges of the guard and cutting plates 1 in cutting the vines,weeds, and other vegetation and greatly increase the efficiency of themachine.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. Apotato-diggingmachine plow, having guard and cutter plates on oppositesides thereof, revolving colters coacting with said guard and cutterplates, and means to re volve the colters.

2. In combination with the plow of a potato-digging machine, fixed guardand cutter plates at the sides thereof, brackets secured to the sides ofthe plow, a shaft having its bearings in said brackets, colters on saidshaft, coacting with the fixed guard and cutter plates, and means torevolve said shaft and colters.

3. In combination with a potato-diggingmachine plow, guard and cuttingplates on opposite sides thereof, each provided with a sharpened frontcutting edge extending upwardly from the plow and with a lateral flangeextending under and bolted to the plow, brackets secured to the sides ofthe plow and extending above the guard and cut ting plates, andrevolving colters, coacting 5 with the guard and cutting plates andmount- Witnesses:

my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS N. OIUM.

ed on said brackets. ANDREW SANDUGER,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto'set R. S. MILLER.

